The Reds beat West Ham 3-0 at Anfield yesterday even though they were without injured captain Steven Gerrard .

It was their fourth win in six Premier League matches, lifting them to within touching distance of the top four.

Having endured their worst start to a campaign since 1953-54 – with six points from eight games – they have now accrued 13 from the last 18 available.

But Liverpool boss Hodgson thinks his side are still being judged on their early-season form and said: ‘There are two games this year which have done us untold damage.

‘The first was when a total reserve team – without 14 first-team players who didn’t play – lost to Northampton in the Carling Cup. The other was the disastrous [2-1] defeat at home to Blackpool at the end of a three-match week when we played in Europe.

‘Those two defeats were costly because they encouraged people to make bold conclusions.

‘There are still a lot of things [we need] to do but what pleased me against West Ham was our shape, discipline and our organisation.’

‘If we can keep that going with the quality of players we have got we can have a good season.’

Hodgson also rubbished talk of a rift with Glen Johnson, who returned at right-back and scored the opener before Dirk Kuyt converted from the spot after Danny Gabbidon’s handball.